Education India Project #48200

Enable children with disabilities in Indian slums.

by OSCAR (Organization for Social Change, Awareness and Responsibility) Foundation

Project Report | Apr 14, 2023
Empowering Children with Disabilities through Inclusive Experiences

By Sunita Rathod | Fundraising Manager

Visit to Madeira & Mime

Children with disabilities often do not get the chance to explore and experience the world around them in the same way as other children. However, if given the opportunity and support, they can overcome barriers and showcase their abilities instead of their limitations. It is crucial to provide these children with equal opportunities, inclusive community services, and protection from discrimination and abuse, to nurture their growth and development.

As part of our OSCAR disability inclusion project, we organized a special lunch at Madeira and Mime for 25 children with hearing and speech impairments. Madeira and Mime is a unique cafe that employs service staff who have hearing and speech impairments. This is a fantastic initiative by the restaurant to provide job opportunities to people who may face challenges in traditional workplaces due to their disabilities.

The primary objective of this visit was to give the OSCAR children an opportunity to explore and understand that they are not any different from other children and that they, too, have the right to work in a respectful place. This was a momentous occasion, as Madeira and Mime wait staff with hearing and speech impairments, and the children not only enjoyed their meal, but they were also motivated to see themselves represented in the workplace. It was a truly inspiring experience for them to witness people with similar disabilities working with such pride and dedication.

Through this event, the children and staff formed a wonderful bond and had a great time. They not only enjoyed the delicious meal but also gained a newfound confidence and understanding of their abilities. This visit was an excellent opportunity for the OSCAR children to feel included and motivated, and we are delighted to have been a part of this wonderful initiative. We hope that such opportunities become more prevalent, and all children, regardless of their abilities, can experience the world and reach their full potential.

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Dec 19, 2022
Journey of Sufiyan

By Hrishikesh Bhagwat | Assistant Manager Fundraising & Partnerships

Aug 18, 2022
Continued support for Deaf children with Hearing Aid

By Sunita Rathod | Fundraising Manager

Ishu (10) and Vishu (10) are identical twins who reside in Powai, a Mumbai suburb. They enrolled in the OSCAR football programme in 2020 shortly before the Covid-19 lockdown was imposed. They have an elder sister, Radhika who has been playing football at OSCAR for nearly 5 years. They live with their father, who washes cars and mother, who is a homemaker.

Ishu and Vishu have both had profound hearing loss since they were born. To address this, implants were recommended when they were 2 years old. However, this was not feasible due to the high financial cost and low durability of the equipment. Ishu and Vishu have lived their short lives in silence.

In June 2022, OSCAR organised for Ishu and Vishu to have an audiogram and moulds of their ears taken. Tailor made hearing aids were ordered and fitted on 26th July 2022. There was an instant and joyous impact, both children were able to recognise sounds in the environment and you can only imagine the smiles it brought to their face. As per the doctor’s instructions, adjustment to the hearing aids will be made over the coming months and progress is expected to be gradual. Speech therapy sessions will be conducted at their school to encourage them to talk. The fitting of hearing aids was successful for both Ishu and Vishu and we are excited for their future ahead.

The parents were very emotional and thanked OSCAR and the donor, Sarah Edwards for their intervention. They also thanked coach Komal, who enrolled them into the OSCAR programme and has taken great efforts to ensure their integration with non-disabled children. Ishu and Vishu are now part of the group like any other child. Their non-disabled peers at sessions have been incredibly supportive and inclusive, which is an amazing sign for all of us. We are proud of our entire community in Powai for supporting Ishu and Vishu and hope as a community we can provide more hearing aids and glasses for children living with profound hearing loss and visual impairment.

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